USW Leadership Changes

Mike Spier is the new president of U.S. Wheat Associates, succeeding Vince Peterson, who retired. Brian Liedl joined USW as its vice president of overseas operations. Previously, Liedl worked for United Grain Corporation and CHS Hedging. Julia Debes has rejoined USW as the director of communications and stakeholder outreach. Debes worked in a communications role at USW from 2010 to 2014. Most recently, Debes was director of communications for an NRCS initiative called Working Lands for Wildlife.Debes was hired as part of a reorganization of USW communications in the wake of the retirement of Vice President of Communications Steve Mercer. USW Communications Director Ralph Loos will assume the new role of director of communications-multimedia and global outreach. Vice President of Policy Dalton Henry will lead the department, which will combine the talents and resources of the USW policy and communications staff.